By Randy Vogt, Director of Public Relations, Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association
April 16, 2015-The Cosmopolitan Junior Soccer League (CJSL), the oldest youth soccer league in the United States and a founding member of the Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA), is proud to announce a collaboration with New York City FC (NYCFC), now playing its first season in Major League Soccer (MLS) with its home games at historic Yankee Stadium.
NYCFC will work with CJSL coaches, providing specific coaching education workshops in line with the club’s philosophy and curriculum. NYCFC and the CJSL coaches will also partner in identifying player talent, appropriate to the age group concerned.
From Under-9 to Under-11, CJSL players will have the opportunity to showcase their skills at NYCFC-run soccer festivals. Selected teams from the CJSL will also be invited to participate in a NYCFC Youth Development League events against NYCFC’s youth affiliate teams.
From Under-12 to Under-17, NYCFC and CJSL coaches will together identify players who would be invited to join NYCFC future talent centers.
“This collaboration between New York City’s first and oldest youth league, the CJSL, and the first MLS club in the five boroughs is the start of a new phase in the CJSL’s history that dates back 80 years,” commented CJSL President Dimitrie Draguca. “It only makes sense for our two great organizations to develop a relationship that will provide our city’s children with the opportunity they need to develop the skills to take them to the next level.”
NYCFC Sporting Director Claudio Reyna said, “I am delighted that we are going to be working with the CJSL to help develop the league, which will benefit all its teams, and to provide technical support for its most talented young players. The CJSL is very special to me, as one of the leagues I grew up playing in, so I know how important it is to the fabric of soccer in New York and we are extremely happy to support it.”
Additionally, NYCFC will have a presence at CJSL events and advise the league how best to structure its competition in line with NYCFC’s research and knowledge on youth development. To align itself with NYCFC’s philosophy, no standings will be kept in the Under-8 to Under-11 age groups.
With over 100,000 youth soccer players––both boys and girls––and more than 25,000 volunteers, the non-profit Eastern New York Youth Soccer Association (ENYYSA) stretches from Montauk Point, Long Island to the Canadian border. Members are affiliated with 11 leagues throughout the association, which covers the entire state of New York east of Route 81. ENYYSA exists to promote and enhance the game of soccer for children and teenagers between the ages of 5 and 19 years old, and to encourage the healthy development of youth players, coaches, referees and administrators. All levels of soccer are offered––from intramural, travel team and premier players as well as Special Children. No child who wants to play soccer is turned away. ENYYSA is a proud member of the United States Soccer Federation and United States Youth Soccer Association. For more information, please log on to http://www.enysoccer.com/, which receives nearly 300,000 hits annually from the growing soccer community.